Photo: 22thecrobot · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Zion is healthier than 29% of U.S. towns
Zion differs from Illinois on 18 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 16 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Zion. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Zion
Making ends meet is harder in Zion
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (25.8%), vs 15.9% across Illinois. Utility shut-off threats (13% vs 7.8%) and housing insecurity (21.6% vs 13.2%) are higher too. 23.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 13.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Zion
54.5% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.4% across Illinois. Among those 65 and older, 17.1% have lost all their teeth (Illinois 10.3%). Checkups ↓
Every town around Zion scores healthier
All five graded neighbors are ahead of Zion’s C, from Benton Township (C+) to Wadsworth (A). Around town ↓
Zion has a top-rated hospital
Midwestern Region Medical Center is rated 4 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Illinois figure falls outside Zion’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Zion’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Zion is healthier than 29% of U.S. towns, #643 of 767 in Illinois. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 53% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 15%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Zion’s median household income is $63,104; among the 9,605 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($47K–$79K), it’s healthier than 41%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Zion compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.7% (U.S. 7.9%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
23.4% of Zion adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Keeping up with care
Share of Zion adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
Zion and the towns around it
Zion’s Health Grade ranks 6th of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion | C | 41.1% | 14.3% | 14.9% | CDC place |
| Zion Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Benton Township | C+ | 38.7% | 13.6% | 14.2% | ZIP codes |
| Beach Park | B− | 37.6% | 13.5% | 13.6% | CDC place |
| Wadsworth | A | 32.6% | 11.3% | 10.2% | CDC place |
| Newport Township | B+ | 35.1% | 12.3% | 11.7% | ZIP codes |
| Winthrop Harbor | B | 36.4% | 12.7% | 14% | CDC place |
Zion Township: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Care in and near Zion
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Zion, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Zion; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Out of every 100 Zion adults…
Zion runs below IL on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 4. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 11% of Zion residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across Illinois. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Everyday habits, side by side with Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
11 miles of trails across 21 parks and preserves
How Zion adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Zion runs above Illinois.
1 in 3 Zion adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Zion adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Zion
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Zion is better than Illinois on 2 and worse on 16; on the rest, the Illinois figure falls inside Zion’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Zion | IL | U.S. | vs IL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 23.9%21.2–26.6 | 18.6% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14%12.4–15.6 | 12.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.6%15.6–19.7 | 15.6% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.1%35.5–46.6 | 34% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 14.3%12.5–16.2 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 36.3%32.7–39.8 | 33% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.2%31.5–38.8 | 35.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 22.5%20–25.2 | 24.2% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.7%9.4–12 | 9.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.7%5.2–6.3 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.9%5.3–6.5 | 5.9% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.9%6.1–7.7 | 6.3% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.7%3.4–4 | 3.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.1%14.1–20.6 | 10.3% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.9%12.9–17 | 12.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 28.1%24.1–32 | 23% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14.3%11.9–16.9 | 17.8% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39%33.9–44.6 | 35.4% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 15.7%13.7–17.8 | 9.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.2%72.6–79.3 | 77.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.5%50.9–58.4 | 63.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.3%83.3–87 | 87.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.5%70.4–76.4 | 75.7% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 57%52.2–62 | 60.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.2%65.8–79.9 | 73.5% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 18.7%15.9–21.7 | 19.8% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.4%31.2–40 | 33.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.8%26.3–33.7 | 25.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 25.8%22.9–29 | 15.9% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 21.6%19.1–24.3 | 13.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13%11.5–14.8 | 7.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.4%11–13.8 | 8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 23.4%20.8–26.2 | 13.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 31%27.3–34.6 | 27.6% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.4%13.6–17.3 | 12.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 15.8%14.1–17.7 | 12.6% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 5.9%5.2–6.6 | 6.2% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.1%6.5–7.7 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.8%8.8–10.8 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.9%4.5–5.4 | 3.5% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Illinois figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Zion
Is Zion a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Zion is healthier than 29% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #643 of 767 in Illinois. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 41%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Zion?
CDC estimates 41.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 35.5% and 46.6%, against 34% across Illinois and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Zion?
Midwestern Region Med Center in Zion, 1.4 miles in a straight line from Zion’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Zion have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 15.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 13.7–17.8%), against 9.9% across Illinois.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Zion more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Zion.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Illinois figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.